Idowu 'hires own medics' to get through Games

Former world champion triple jumper Phillips Idowu has reportedly hired his own medical team to get him fit for London 2012.

The 33-year-old, who was a silver medallist in Beijing in 2008 and is a contender for the podium at his home Olympics, has been blighted by a hip injury this campaign and has not jumped in competition since June 1.

He was due to appear at the London GP meeting at Crystal Palace this weekend, only to announce his withdrawal with the event minutes away from starting.

“Sorry to have to pull out,” explained Idowu on Twitter. “Slight bit of muscle tightness. I will be fine in a day or two."

But despite that, the Daily Mail report that Idowu has now stepped away from the UK athletics system and will go his own way in his bid to win gold. They will help him with preparation for the Games, and also with his conditioning during the Olympics.

The move to hire his own medics, the paper claims, “apparently reveals the extent of his injury concerns and the breakdown in relations with his head coach Charles van Commenee".

Idowu and van Commenee have a frosty relationship after a public row in 2011 over the athlete announcing his withdrawal from the European Team Championships via Twitter rather than official channels.

Idowu dismissed fitness concerns as part of the ‘rumour mill’ last week, but his absence from Crystal Palace has done little to dispel the doubts.